Question

Explain, in complete sentences, how you would use the elimination method to solve the following system of equations. Provide the solution to the system.

6x – 5y = 4
9x + 4y = –17

Answer 1

ok so what you want to do is make either the x or y numbers the same while making their signs opposite. so lets start with the y. You can multiply the first equation by 4 and the 2nd equation by 5. Then you will get :

24x-20y=16
45x+20y=-85

so then you can cancel out the y's. You are left with:

24x=16
45x=-85. You combine the x's to get 69x=-69. Solve this equation and you get x=-1. Then you take the -1 and substitute it in for the first equation's x value. Whatever you get when you solve for y is your y value.